If Minivan Barbie were to become a thing, Fiat would have just provided her with the ultimate accessory in the 500L. The 500L takes the roundish styling from the 500 and balloons it to practical-yet-adorable proportions. Just look at it from the front: the purposely gawky styling looks eerily like a certain doll's face. Pixar should sue. The 500L's dimensions are enabled by an entirely new platform, which Fiat calls its “small-wide architecture:” it is exactly 26 inches longer and 6 inches taller and wider than the 500, giving it 42% more interior space within its cute wrapper.

This gave Fiat engineers the chance to provide the 500L with wide, panoramic views; additional windows in the front and rear pillars, as well as a glass sunroof stretching the entire length of the car, give the 500L an airy feel present in few other cars. Five basketball players could fit inside the 500L, though whether they'll be able to climb out is another story.

The 500L will come with Fiat's 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged engine, producing 160 horsepower. Fiat is gunning for best-in-class fuel economy, though specifics haven't been disclosed yet. Uconnect, Chrysler and Fiat's newest hands-free infotainment system, is present in the 500L with a 5-inch touchscreen. A Trekking model adds plastic bumpers in front and rear, unpainted for a tough-looking sensibility. Don't expect it to off-road any better than Ken's Corvette.

The 500L is cute enough for Barbie, but Fiat hopes families of all spectrums will get behind the wheel. With a roomy interior and a chic appeal, it might do just that. Still, we think Fiat missed an opportunity to name it the “Multipla,” or at the very least, license the name from Ford and call it the “500XL.” And if history proves to be any indication, we can't wait until Abarth gets its hands on it.

The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place Nov. 28 through Dec. 9. In keeping with the Southern California lifestyle, the LA auto show is usually a showcase for green cars, hybrid vehicles and electric transportation. But sports cars - especially convertibles - also command the spotlight. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show here.

Blake Z. Rong
- Associate editor Blake Z. Rong has been with Autoweek since 2012 as an Associate Editor in Los Angeles. He drove his Mazda Miata across the country and believes that no man needs a car any larger or faster. Well, ok, faster, certainly.
See more by this author»